Mission Pastor and Congregants Await Pope Announcement

As the world waits to hearwho will become the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church, parishioners at Mission District churches pray for a smooth election process. Cardinals spent Monday in deliberation at the Vatican, and they are expected to reach a decision in the coming days.

Mission Local spoke with The Reverend Arturo Albano of Mission Dolores Basilica Parish on 16th Street about the forthcoming election.

Q: What is most important issue that the new pope should focus on?

A: Evangelization of the people. That’s what I would like. In Latin America, for instance, Catholics have moved to be part of other religious sects [such as] Mormons and Baptists. The Catholic church has been very powerful and big in Latin America—perhaps it has taken itself for granted. A lot of the Catholics have fallen into the arms of other religions. That’s one thing the new Pope would focus on.